GALES IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9735, 4 February 1895, Page 5

GALES IN AUSTRALIA.

SHIPPING DISORGANISED.

VESSEL SUNK IN SYDNEY HARBOUR. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES. Press Association.Electric Telegraph.— t. Sydney, February 3. A severe gale has been experienced here since Friday night, and the highest sea known for many years is running in the harbour. The ferry service had to be partially suspended. In shipping affairs delay has been general, and all vessels which have arrived report thab they had an exceedingly rough time. Fears 1 are entertained for the safety of a number of smaller coastal craft. The steam collier Mount Kembla, lad,an with coal, broke loose at Wollongong, and was sunk in the harbour, in order to prevent her being thrown upon the shore and wrecked. It is expected she will be floated without damage. The weather is now moderating, Brisbane, February The gale still continues, and the sea is something tremendous. All steamers are arriving late, and each reports one of the worst storms ever experienced. The Wodonga, from Cooktown, hove-to for 24 hours. The steamers South Australia and Arawata had a similar experience, and arrived in a battered condition.

The former, which came from Sydney, lost forty valuable stud rams on the journey through their exposure to the bad weather. The Leura, due on Thursday from Northern ports, arrived this morning after a fearful experience. Her decks were continually swept by heavy seas, and her trysail carried away. In attempting to re-set the canvas, a mountainous sea swooped on board, and the chief officer and four of the crew, who were engaged in the task, were injured, the first named being rendered incapable for the remainder of the voyage. One of the lifeboats was stove in, and as the glass of the skylight was smashed, a large quantity of water passed and found its way into the cabin and stokehole. The vessel ran short of coal and provisions, and was hove-to for many hours. She reported her condition at Double Island, and the Derwent was sent from here to assist her, and supplied her with coal and provisions. The captafn was on the bridge for 53 hours Two valuable horses died from the knocking about they received. She sighted the schooners Liffey l and Quanding, which were driven out to sea, the former with her bulwarks washed away. The Liffey was short of provisions, and her locker was replenished by the Leura. The j Quanding was half lull of water. I